Celebrities have a lot of fame and power, which can be used to better the world or make it worse. I have come to find that there are quite a few celebrities that have a vegan diet, and a lifestyle that supports sustainability, animal rights, better ethical treatment of workers, and so on. Some celebrities are passively vegan – that is, they are not celebrities because of their vegan views, but became a celebrity as a result of something else like their music or roles in the film industry. Others are active vegan celebrities whose claim to fame is adding something of value to the conversation of a plant-based diet and lifestyle.

Let’s take a look at 100 Vegan Celebrities:

Let us start with a few individuals who have inspired my personal whole foods, plant-based journey. These are some vegan medical professionals that have decided to go against the grain of the establishment to promote a plant-based diet. As science evolves, new research is beginning to come to light that shows just how beneficial a plant-based diet can be. For example, it has been shown that a plant-based diet can help prevent prostate cancer and simply increasing the number of servings of fruits and vegetables can make you feel better. From there, the sky is the limit as we look at vegan celebrities in all corners of the career spectrum!

1). Dr. John McDougall, Doctor

When I began my plant-based journey a few years ago, Dr. John McDougall helped guide me in the right direction. By reading his book The Starch Solution and following the dietary guidelines he advised, in addition to other research on the topic of a vegan lifestyle, I found myself feeling better almost instantly. In the course of these 3 years I have shed 65 pounds and regained my health in a number of other ways. I will always be thankful for this guidance!

2). Dr. Michael Greger, Doctor

Another plant-based doctor that has inspired my personal journey is Dr. Greger. His book How Not to Die was also an influence on my life as it provides digestible scientific research that can make sense to your average person. I had the opportunity to meet Dr. Greger on the Holistic Holiday at Sea Cruise and found him to be a very pleasant and down-to-earth person. That is not always the case with people who have found fame, but it certainly helps solidify him as an influential part of my journey.

Dr. Esselstyn has played a significant role in the promotion of a whole foods, plant-based diet. He has gone on to promote an even morespecific dietary lifestyle which includes staying away from nuts and oils as well. At different points in his life, his research into this topic has been a point of public discussion. Former US President Bill Clinton has addressed his work as being valuable and the benefits of a plant-based diet notable. He was a doctor featured in the popular vegan documentary Forks Over Knives.

4). Moby, Musician

5). Jaoquin Pheonix, Actor

An actor you may quickly recognize for stunning portrayals in films like Gladiator and The Village, as well as for his peculiar actions in the public eye that led to the creation of the documentary I'm Still Here. It has been described that he can often be unpredictable, but with regards to his vegan diet he is steadfast. In an interview, he described the experience of immediately converting to veganism as a result of seeing what he viewed to be abuse (at the young age of 3) as he was on a fishing trip and saw fish being captured and killed. It is a simple but powerful image that he paints. This vegan diet was followed by his other siblings as well, most of which have had their time in the public eye, including his late brother River Pheonix.

Carrie rose to fame as a musician and vocalist due to her stellar performances on American Idol - the reality TV talent show where the winner went on to win a substantial recording contract deal. Over the years there have been many "idol" winners, but few have gone on to retain their fame for any extended period of time. These days, Carrie Underwood continues to tour the world and can even been seen popping up in television commercials. Going from a relatively unknown country girl to someone with so much star power must have been jarring, but by talking about important topics like her vegan diet; it has increased public awareness of something so important for all of us.

I am sure we all have our personal opinions about Bill (and Hilary) Clinton. I am not a particularly politics minded person, but try not to take anyone (or anything) at face value. While there are certainly many things I don't agree with former President Bill Clinton on, it is nice to see that amidst all the power, wealth, and celebrity that being in such a position like the President of the United States, it is reassuring to hear someone from such great heights talk about veganism as a potential solution to our nation's health problems. He made a public transition in 2010 and says a vegan diet makes him "feel good."

Mayim Chaya Bialik rose to quick fame as her ongoing portrayal of Dr. Amy Farrah Fowler on CBS's sitcom series The Big Bang Theory. Her personal background and rise to fame have always been unique, and she appears to have a very down-to-earth personality despite the sudden increase in popularity. It is comical to see her acting skills put to great use on the TV show, and to know that she is a real life neuroscientist is just icing on the cake. Her public stance on veganism is related to the value of the diet on health, as well as the focus on wanting to do away with animal cruelty. In doing research for this piece, I just found out she has a vegan recipe book as well: Mayim's Vegan Table. I will need to check this one out in more depth soon!

Anyone familiar with the popular HBO television drama Game of Throneswill know Peter Dinklage as Tyrion Lannister, the cunning dwarf character. He is also a well regarded actor outside of television, having acted in great independent films like The Station Agent and comedies like Elf. Of course, many will note his small stature, but he has a big heart for the humane treatment of animals, which is a core reason why he has adopted a plant-based lifestyle.

You may not recognize Jared Leto because he seems to always be changing his appearance. Whether he is going to some extreme for a movie production (as is the case with his portrayal of the Joker in the upcoming film Suicide Squad) or just wanting to have fun by changing his hair color, one thing remains the same: his dietary choice to be a vegan. At 44 years old, he looks as if he never aged past his 20's. He has stated to the press that he feels his vegan diet has been the reason why he has remained looking so youthful. Certainly this paired with an active lifestyle as the result of his conjoined career paths, as both a musician in the alternative rock band 30 Seconds to Mars and an actor in award winning films like Requiem for a Dream and Mr. Nobody, has treated him quite well!

A vegan diet, rich in fruits and vegetables, is full of antioxidants which help protect the body from damage by free radicals.

Everyone knows Ellen DeGeneres these days. She is very popular for her simply named talk show Ellen. Of course, she is well known publicly for a variety of political stances she has taken throughout the years. Perhaps none are more important than her promotion of veganism due to the impact it has on everyone - you know - because everyone has to eat to live!

Maneka Sanjay Gandhi is the Indian Union Cabinet Minister for Women & Child Development in the Government of PM Narendra Modi. She is also an animal rights activist, environmentalist, and widow of the Indian politician Sanjay Gandhi. She has been a minister in four governments, and has authored a number of books in the areas of etymology, law and animal welfare. She has played a pivotal role in spreading the message of a whole foods, plant-based diet in this region of the world we often overlook from our cozy vantage point in the USA.

With as rich a history as Thich Nhat Hanh, it is amazing to see his personal story unfold with such grace. While many among us hope for peace, few are able to actively promote it so well by simple actions noticed by many. Thich Nhat Hanh has been able to do just this as a peace activist. His vegan diet is grounded in the notion of peace towards non-human animals. Afterall, consuming meat and other animal products is much like spreading war to these other subservient species.

Fun fact: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. nominated Thich Nhat Hanh for a Nobel Peace Prize - but no prize was offered in that year. It is interesting to see how the Eastern and Western worlds can be connected so quickly by an exchange such as this!

Being vegetarian here also means that we do not consume dairy and egg products, because they are products of the meat industry. If we stop consuming, they will stop producing.

Known for his often very serious and cerebral films such as Requiem for a Dream (in which fellow featured vegan Jared Leto starred), The Fountain, Black Swan, Pi, and the Biblical epic Noah, Darren Aronofsky is a vegan who has used his art forms at times to, apparently, display this message. After the release of Noah, many were up in arms not only because of the unique take on this part of the Bible, but also because how animals were portrayed throughout. Some have gone so far to call the movie "vegan propaganda" because no live animals were used or subjugated to physical harm. It is certainly a strange world where people will find just about anything to complain about. There must be worse things than a whole foods, plant-based diet to have a problem with given all the known positive effects it can have on a person's health!

No photo of David Benatar is publicly available. Through Google searches you will be met with an image of Peter Singer in his place. Speculation is that he enjoys his anonymity as he tends to hold views outside of the mainstream. Let this be a lesson to us all that perhaps words and ideas have more value than just an image of a man!

55). David Benatar, Philosopher

Well known in academic circles for his philosophical writings, David Benatar is a vegan. At times he dives into issues your average is certainly not considering, such as whether or not human beings should continue to procreate if they consider themselves "vegan." Other more existential writings are also in place as well, so if you are looking to stay on the happier, more upbeat side of life you may want to tread lightly; but there is no doubt that his unique take on the world has stuck with quite a few people who treasure his philosophical stances and his ability to truly "question everything."

One particularly poor argument in defence of eating meat is that if humans did not eat animals, those animals would not have been brought into existence in the first place. Humans would simply not have bred them in the numbers they do breed them. The claim is that although these animals are killed, this cost to them is outweighed by the benefit to them of having been brought into existence. This is an appalling argument for many reasons. First, the lives of many of these animals are so bad that even if one rejected my argument one would still have to think that they were harmed by being brought into existence. Secondly, those who advance this argument fail to see that it could apply as readily to human babies that are produced only to be eaten. Here we see quite clearly that being brought into existence only to be killed for food is no benefit. It is only because killing animals is thought to be acceptable that the argument is thought to have any force.

I am happy to have stumbled across Steph Davis while conducting research for this article on vegan celebrities. She stood out to me given her niche celebrity status - you probably know her if you are into extreme rock climbing, but may not have heard of her in any other situation - and positive outlook on life. In an interview she conducted as a part of a partnership with the activist group PETA, she states:

"I started eating vegan because I noticed that it made me feel better and perform better. After a couple of years, I became aware of factory farming, and what exactly is being done to animals all day every day in our society in order to create cheap meat, eggs and dairy products that are not even causing Americans to be healthy or fit. Knowing what I know now, even if being vegan didn’t make me healthier, energetic and stronger (which it does), I would continue to eat this way purely in order to keep my dollars out of the system that perpetuates cruelty and abuse."

Her experience of transitioning to a whole foods, plant-based diet is similar to my own. We experience personal value in seeing our lives change before our eyes, then become inspired by this change to see it in others. As the meat industry is so intertwined with the food we are told to consume, it's no wonder many vegans become animal rights activists!

It is fascinating to see this perspective as vegans are a significant minority in the world which is paralleled by the African American community in the USA which is an ethnic minority as well. In order for a whole foods, plant-based diet to catch on, it needs to be taken in by people of all types. It is also worth noting that among African Americans, obesity rates are significantly higher than in white counterparts. This is a chronic health problem that plagues many people, and that can be resolved by changing diet and lifestyle. I have seen this change in myself first hand as I lost 65+ pounds since transitioning to a plant-based diet, and I believe the same could be experienced by others as well.

Brian Greene is an esteemed physicist and was a professor at Cornell University in Ithaca, NY, and moved on to Columbia University. He is well known for helping to bring the world of dense physics to the masses in far more digestible formsthrough talks and books such asThe Elegant Universe, Icarus at the Edge of Time, andThe Fabric of the Cosmos. He has also had a cameo in The Big Bang Theory in the episode "The Herb Garden Germination." He was a vegetarian from early on in life, and transitioned to a full vegan diet after touring Farm Sanctuary in Watkins Glen, New York where he learned,"...about the dairy industry which was so disturbing that I could not continue to support it. Within days I gave up all dairy."

Robert Cheeke is amongst the increasing ranks of vegan bodybuilders that show all of us how it is possible to get enough nutrition on the plant-based diet to sustain significant muscle growth. In an interview with Vegan Bodybuilding, he points out how vegans can get enough protein in their diets quite easily and how he approaches the question of "what is your favorite protein" by simply stating that there are many available that he enjoys. He also notes that he uses vegan protein powders as well, such as Vega, which is comprised of pea, hemp, and rice proteins.

You may have heard some of the catchy pop tunes from Jason Mraz, a well known singer-songwriter. Whether he is belting out the lyrics to his top hit "I'm Yours", involving himself in political activism for a wide range of causes (such as the environment, animal rights, and LGBT equality), he digs his roots deep around a plant-based lifestyle. He has stated that he eats mainly raw vegan foods, and that his vegan diet has been influential on the music he creates.

He has also put his money where his mouth is and invested in a vegan restaurant, Cafe Gratitude, in Los Angeles, California.

Last weekend a young man asked me how I remain so positive. “It seems all the negativity in the world doesn’t affect you,” he said. I had no more than a minute with the young man so I offered this: It’s all about where you choose to put your attention, and I choose to be happy.

Taj was quoted in a 2008 article where she identified as vegan that the reason for this is because "I just wanted to make sure I had a healthy body because I wanted to continue playing for a longer period than most of my peers."

Playing basketball on a professional level requires much skill, practice, and a healthy diet and exercise routine to stay in shape.

Carl Lewis is a famous US vegan Olympic champion in the sport of running who won a large number of medals. He found significant value in a whole foods, plant-based diet which has led to him maintaining it for many years both on the track and off. He initially transitioned to a vegan diet in 1991 in preparation for the World Championships sporting event, and has maintained the diet ever since, stating that he ran the best meet of his life during this time. To solidify his vegan lifestyle, he wrote the foreword and presented the book Very Vegetarian by Jannequin Bennett.

To end our post on these 100 vegan celebrities, it is worth taking a look at James Cameron, the film director best known for movies such as Titanic, The Terminator, Aliens, and Avatar (among others). While the fantasy worlds portrayed in his films, where loss of life and destruction are common place, are powerful; his personal decision to adopt a vegan diet as a method of "saving the planet" is equally, if not more, powerful than anything ever put to screen. He has used his life and celebrity to inspire others to do the same, and to live a life rooted in sustainability practices.

You can’t be an environmentalist if you’re not eating a plant-based diet. And you can’t walk the walk in the world of the future, the world ahead of us, the world of our children, not eating a plant-based diet.

— James Cameron

It's hard to resist the personal lure to James Cameron as well because he discussed gardening as the way of the future as well, something so many vegan celebs seem to overlook when discussing diet, health, and environmental sustainability. We can wrap this up with another quote from Cameron about the simplest thing you can do to sustain your health, your families health, and the world you live in.

Start a garden; it’s the easiest thing in the world. Watch a tomato grow and eat it.

— James Cameron

There is an abundance of vegan celebrities in the world. One of my goals with putting together this list was not only to highlight vegan celebrity, but to highlight the diversity of the people on this list that have taken to this whole foods, plant-based lifestyle. These are men and women of many ethnic backgrounds that operate in a large array of careers. There are people on this list ranging from medical doctors to actors and musicians to physicists, philosophers, and professional athletes. It is no wonder that so many talented and intelligent people have decided to take to plant smart living when it provides so many benefits.

Veganism is on the rise in the United States and around the world. While you may not agree with all of the values each celebrity on this list has (I certainly do not), it is valuable to see how their lives can be used to positively impact our world through promotion - whether active or passive - of a plant-based diet. I hope you can find inspiration in the message these advocates for change teach.

The goal of Plant-Smart Living with Farmer Fred has been to expose the truth about how a whole food, plant-based diet can benefit you. It is a powerful tool that has led to drastic changes in many people who have adopted it. Today, we have looked at vegan celebrities and the power they have to teach about this lifestyle.

For Farmer Fred, this has meant a loss of 65 pounds of fat and a reduction of pain and cure for diseases such as angina, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and many others.

For more about Farmer Fred and the vision of Plant-Smart Living, be sure to follow us on Facebook and YouTube.

By the way...Let us know who your favorite vegan celebrity is! Did they make this list, or will we have to feature your favorite in another post in the future?